Boys In Blue: Pvt. William Alphonso McLain
At the age of 15, William Alphonso McLain joined the Union Army for a one hundred day stint in the 9th Illinois Infantry. The age listed on his papers? Twenty-two. Three years later, William mustered into the Army for another one hundred day tour, this time with the 135th Illinois Infantry. The age listed on his papers? A more accurate eighteen.
©2012 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
